Synthesis and features of TDNs. (A) Schematic diagrams of the assembly of TDNs. (B) The synthesis of TDN with sizes of 17 bp was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, the concentration of agarose gel is 3.5%. (C) Electrophoretic analysis of the stability of TDNs and dsDNAs incubated in serum for 0, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 h. The intensity of electrophoretic bands was analyzed by the software ImageJ and displayed in heat map. (D) After treatment of Cy5-labelled TDNs (200 nmol/L) in different sizes with optiMEM for 1 or 3 h, cells were collected and washed for three times, and then detected by flow cytometry. (E) After 3 h incubating with Cy5-a, Cy5-ab or Cy5-abc, cellular uptake of ssDNA and TDNs (200 nmol/L) were detected by flow cytometry. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 3).